Between Good and Evil - by Rochelle Alers (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In the tradition of Studs Lonigan and A Stone for Danny Fisher, a transporting historical saga about three young men coming-of-age on New York City's rapidly changing, vibrant, challenging, sometimes heartless Upper West Side as they walk a fine line between right and wrong amid the turbulence and scandals of the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

Kenny, Frankie, Ray. For these best friends, life on the Upper West Side during the upheaval of the 1960s showed undreamed-of possibilities--and temptations. Moved by visionaries like Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcom X, Kenny risks the draft as he plunges into civil rights activism. With surprising business savvy, Frankie expands his grandfather's Harlem underworld empire to feed the growing demand for drugs--and his hunger to be the city's biggest kingpin. Ray dreams of being a doctor, but his near-addictive desires lead him to a near-fatal confrontation . . . and a different sort of healing.

But as the 1970s unwind, Kenny dedicates himself to revenge as well as social work--forming a dangerous alliance that puts him at an inescapable crossroads. Used to sexual playgrounds like Studio 54, Frankie falls for the one woman he shouldn't want. And Ray embarks on a dangerous double life that throws him into conflict with his deepest convictions.

With its relentless materialism, the 1980s will take these friends from a scandal-ridden Gracie Mansion mayoral campaign to wrenching urban change that will alter their old neighborhood forever. Kenny, Frankie, and Ray must decide how far they will pursue dreams that can guarantee success--or disaster. And each must come to terms with the kind of man he wants to be--no matter the consequences . . .

Review Quotes

Praise for Rochelle Alers:

"Alers skillfully entwines baseball history, the ugliness of the Jim Crow era, and the intricacies of families for a thoroughly satisfying read in this novel within a novel." --Booklist on Home and Away

"A vivid, emotional saga, this is a story about finding hope amid struggle and how our relationships shape our lives." --Yahoo! Entertainment on Take the Long Way Home

"Alers ably portrays her characters' enthusiasm and sacrifices for the cause of racial equality." --Publishers Weekly on Take the Long Way Home

"Alers skillfully brings together two confident, middle-aged lead characters, a rare feat for the romance genre. Their banter and the mouth-watering food descriptions will have readers dreaming of having their own adventures in New Orleans." --Booklist on Breakfast in Bed

"Mature, realistic protagonists, a plethora of family and friends, and a well-researched and thoughtful story that skillfully straddles the line between romance and women's fiction beautifully sets the stage for this fascinating series to come." --Library Journal on The Inheritance

"Engaging and entertaining . . . a wonderful journey of four women who go from unemployed to best friends to innkeepers." --Romance in Color on The Bridal Suite

About the Author

Rochelle Alers is the bestselling author of more than eighty novels with nearly two million copies in print. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Golden Pen Award, Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. A member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Theta Zeta chapter, she lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island, NY. Visit her online at RochelleAlers.org.